Descent II: 4 Open Source Clones Compared
The official 'Descent II' source release from Parallax doesn't compile as distributed — code covered by third-party copyright (sound, modem, and movie handling) was stripped out before release, leaving missing-file errors. DXX-Rebirth, built on the earlier D1X/D2X community ports, supports both Descent I and II with OpenGL rendering and UDP-based multiplayer while staying compatible with original save files, demos, and third-party levels. Kathodos is a different kind of project again — a Panda3D-based remake whose author explicitly states it isn't trying to be a perfect one-to-one clone, just to stay in the same spirit.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 15d ago
- Stars
- 637
- Contributors
- 51
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires original Descent 1 or Descent 2 game data; player files, savegames, and missions from DOS versions can be freely used.
- Modding support
- YesSupports custom AddOn packs to replace or expand original game content; compatible with third-party levels.
- Multiplayer
- LAN, Online
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Archived
- Last updated
- 14y ago
- Stars
- 94
- Contributors
- 1
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- None
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 15y ago
- Stars
- 13
- Contributors
- 4
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesRequires Descent game datafiles.
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | DXX-Rebirth | Descent II | Kathodos | D2X-XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable | Unplayable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX | Windows | None | Linux, Windows, OSX |
| Play in browser | No | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||
| Development status | Active | Archived | Halted | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 15d ago | 14y ago | 15y ago | Not tracked |
| Stars | 637 | 94 | 13 | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 51 | 1 | 4 | Not tracked |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | — | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||
| Requires original assets | YesRequires original Descent 1 or Descent 2 game data; player files, savegames, and missions from DOS versions can be freely used. | — | YesRequires Descent game datafiles. | — |
| Modding support | YesSupports custom AddOn packs to replace or expand original game content; compatible with third-party levels. | — | — | — |
| Multiplayer | LAN, Online | — | — | — |
| Preview | |
Known limitations
- compatibility: Code does not currently compile as-is; some code was removed during release, resulting in missing file errors.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Descent II clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
Do I need to own the original Descent II to play these clones?
DXX-Rebirth and Kathodos require original game assets to play.
Which Descent II clone is the most actively maintained?
DXX-Rebirth is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Descent II.